McGrath resigns as chair of Technical Group

Finian McGrath according to a tweet from RTÉ News has decided to jack it in as chairman of the Technical Group of Independents and small party TD's. No reason as of yet but early speculation is rife after all the tensions in the far left camp over the recent months regarding the tax affairs of Mick Wallace. Does anyone know more and what does this latest turn of events mean for the future of the Technical Group?

It's all a bit bewildering but just goes to show that if a small group like this can't organize itself with a parliament, how on earth would a parliament without party politics (as championed by many posters here) work?

Finian McGrath according to a tweet from RTÉ News has decided to jack it in as chairman of the Technical Group of Independents and small party TD's. No reason as of yet but early speculation is rife after all the tensions in the far left camp over the recent months regarding the tax affairs of Mick Wallace. Does anyone know more and what does this latest turn of events mean for the future of the Technical Group?

It's all a bit bewildering but just goes to show that if a small group like this can't organize itself with a parliament, how on earth would a parliament without party politics (as championed by many posters here) work?

If they can't organise their group how could they organise our Country?

Is there any chance he is going to form a technical left-wing (but not crazy left-wing) group with Roisin Shortall, Willie Penrose, Tommy Broughan (with whom he is now sharing a constituency) and Patrick Nulty and a few others?

It seems some of its members do not have a grasp of what a "Technical Group" actually is. This is not some sort of political alliance with common goals or policies. It's merely a mechanism to improve facilities and opportunities for those without a party whip. In fact it should be possible for a Nazi and a Communist to work within this system. It does not represent an endorsement of anyone's political views, and certainly not their personal financial system. These people should grow up.

It seems some of its members do not have a grasp of what a "Technical Group" actually is. This is not some sort of political alliance with common goals or policies. It's merely a mechanism to improve facilities and opportunities for those without a party whip. In fact it should be possible for a Nazi and a Communist to work within this system. It does not represent an endorsement of anyone's political views, and certainly not their personal financial system. These people should grow up.

Agreed - however by participating in a technical group, you could reach the point where your actions are benefitting someone whose policies you utterly despise (enabling them to have speaking time) and the cost outweighs the benefits.

Anyhow I thought Claire Daly was trying to bring the failed capitalist in from the cold, change his convictions and get him into bed with the socialists - or was it working the other way round?

Agreed - however by participating in a technical group, you could reach the point where your actions are benefitting someone whose policies you utterly despise (enabling them to have speaking time) and the cost outweighs the benefits.

Anyhow I thought Claire Daly was trying to bring the failed capitalist in from the cold, change his convictions and get him into bed with the socialists - or was it working the other way round?

Is there any chance he is going to form a technical left-wing (but not crazy left-wing) group with Roisin Shortall, Willie Penrose, Tommy Broughan (with whom he is now sharing a constituency) and Patrick Nulty and a few others?

From my experience of been involved with him in campaigns back in the 90's, Finian McGrath might be closer to Sinn Fein than to Labour. Cann't see him giving up as an independent all the same.

Is there any chance he is going to form a technical left-wing (but not crazy left-wing) group with Roisin Shortall, Willie Penrose, Tommy Broughan (with whom he is now sharing a constituency) and Patrick Nulty and a few others?

I called this out on the night Shotall jumped ship. Add in people like Catherine Murphy, Maureen O'Sullivan and you can get to the 7 needed to form a group, quite easilly.

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